‘Aeroflot-Russian Airlines is the only Russian company to hold the IOSA-IATA certificate. Ural Airlines is one of the first companies that have applied for IOSA audit. We expect all carriers operating in Russia and the CIS to undergo the procedure eventually,’ says Dmitriy Shamraev, the regional representative of IATA in Russia and the CIS.

Ural Airlines announced it was going to get the certificate last year. IOSA is one of IATA’s programs aimed at enhancing flight safety; it complements the international civil aviation program and seeks to provide good quality safety routines.

‘IOSA standards cover a carrier’s entire operating process; the certificate is valid for two years. A carrier with the IOSA certificate will definitely save money on additional audits and insurance payments. The company raises its safety levels as well as receives valuable advice,’ Mr. Shamraev says.